Hebrew Baby Names
Explore 535 hebrew names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
Hebrew names underpin a surprising proportion of English and European naming. David, John, Mary, Daniel, Sarah, Elizabeth, Samuel, Rachel, and Rebecca are all Hebrew. The newer Hebrew names travelling internationally (Eliana, Ezra, Noam, Asher) return directly to those ancient roots.
A short history
Hebrew naming is one of the oldest continuous traditions on earth. The Hebrew Bible records names used 3,000 years ago that are still in active use today. Hebrew names fall into several types: theophoric (naming God, as in Daniel, 'God is my judge'), nature-based (Jonah, 'dove'), and virtue-based (Asher, 'happy').
Naming traditions
Ashkenazi Jewish families traditionally name children after deceased relatives (a first letter, a name, or the full name). Sephardi Jewish families often name after living relatives. Israeli naming has added a strong modern Hebrew layer: Liora, Amit, Ori, Shai.
Sound and style
Hebrew names tend to stress the final syllable in the original but are often anglicised to stress the first. The guttural 'ch' of names like Chaim or Chanukah is almost always softened in international use.
Gil
“Joy, happiness”
Gil is a bright and exuberant Hebrew name meaning joy or happiness. The root 'gil' (gimel-yod-lamed) appears throughout the Hebrew Bible in contexts of celebration and rejoicing: it is used in Psalms and prophetic texts to describe the joy of worship, the happiness of redemption, and the delight of communal celebration. As a given name it distils this radiant quality into a single punchy syllable, making it both ancient in origin and strikingly modern in feel.
Gila
“Joy, delight”
Gila comes from the Hebrew root gimel-lamed-heh, meaning joy or exultation. The root gil appears throughout the Hebrew Bible in contexts of celebration, worship, and heartfelt rejoicing. The related word gila refers to an outpouring of joyful emotion, making this a name that carries a sense of vibrant, active happiness rather than quiet contentment. It is a concise, melodic name with deep roots in Jewish tradition and liturgy.
Gilad
“Hill of testimony”
Gilad is a Hebrew name derived from the biblical region of Gilead, a significant territory east of the Jordan River mentioned extensively in the Torah and the Hebrew Bible. The name is generally understood to mean 'hill of testimony' or 'eternal joy', drawing on the Hebrew roots 'gal' meaning heap or mound and 'ed' meaning testimony or witness. In the book of Genesis, the patriarch Jacob and his father-in-law Laban mark their covenant with a heap of stones called Gilead, a monument of witness between them. The name therefore carries associations of covenant, faithfulness, and enduring memory. It is a strong, geographic Hebrew name used primarily in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide.
Gilat
“Joy, gladness, my joy”
Gilat derives from the Hebrew root 'gil,' meaning 'joy,' 'gladness,' or 'exultation,' and is essentially a noun form meaning 'my joy' or 'joyousness.' It is a modern Hebrew name conveying brightness, celebration, and happiness.
Gilboa
“Bubbling spring, hill of springs”
Gilboa derives from the Hebrew meaning 'bubbling spring' or 'hill of springs,' referencing water welling up from the earth. It is the name of a mountain range in northern Israel, historically significant as the site where King Saul and his sons fell in battle.
Gilit
“Joyful one, my joy”
Gilit is a modern Hebrew feminine name derived from the root 'gil,' meaning 'joy' or 'rejoicing.' The name conveys a sense of happiness, delight, and celebration.
Hadar
“Splendour, citrus fruit”
Hadar comes from the Hebrew meaning splendour, glory, or majesty, and is also the word for the citron fruit used in the Jewish festival of Sukkot. In the Torah, the etrog is described as 'pri etz hadar', meaning fruit of the splendid tree. Hadar thus carries a dual resonance: one celestial and glorious, the other grounded in natural beauty and religious observance. It is a radiant, gender-neutral name used by both boys and girls in Israel.
Hadara
“Splendour, glory, adorned with beauty”
Hadara comes from the Hebrew root 'hadar,' meaning 'glory,' 'splendor,' or 'ornamented with beauty.' The name evokes majesty, elegance, and adorned magnificence.
Hadassah
“Myrtle tree”
Hadassah comes from the Hebrew hadass, meaning 'myrtle tree', a plant prized in ancient Israel for its beauty, fragrance and symbolic association with righteousness.
Hallel
“Praise, to shine”
From the Hebrew root 'hallal', meaning to praise or to shine brightly. Hallel is the liturgical collection of Psalms (113 to 118) recited on Jewish festivals, including Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, and Hanukkah, as an expression of communal praise and joy. Giving a child this name is a declaration of gratitude and celebration for their very existence.
Harel
“Mountain of God”
Harel is composed of the Hebrew words 'har,' meaning 'mountain,' and 'El,' meaning 'God,' giving the name the meaning 'mountain of God.' It appears in the Hebrew Bible as a term for the altar hearth in the Temple.
Hatzlelponit
“Shadow facing, sheltering presence”
Hatzlelponit is an ancient Hebrew name of uncertain full etymology, appearing in the Bible in the genealogical lists of the tribe of Judah in 1 Chronicles. It is thought to relate to a root meaning 'shadow facing' or 'shade,' possibly denoting protection or shelter.
Haviva
“Beloved”
Haviva is a Hebrew name meaning 'beloved' or 'dearly loved', derived from the root 'hav' relating to love and deep affection. It is the feminine form of the name Haviv and carries a warmth that makes it a heartfelt choice for a daughter. The name is widely used in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide, conveying the idea of a cherished, treasured child.
Hedva
“Joy, gladness”
Hedva is a Hebrew name meaning joy or gladness, drawn from the root that also gives the Jewish world the concept of simcha, the celebratory joy central to festivals, weddings, and rites of passage. The name encapsulates one of the deepest values in Jewish tradition: the obligation to rejoice and to cultivate delight in life's blessings. Hedva is a warm, uncomplicated name that wears its meaning openly, offering a child both a beautiful identity and a lifelong reminder of the importance of gladness. It is rare outside Israel and Hebrew-speaking communities, giving it an authentic, unaffected quality.
Hemda
“Desire, precious one, delight”
Hemda comes from the Hebrew root 'chemdah,' meaning 'desire,' 'delight,' or 'precious thing.' The name conveys something greatly longed for and cherished, suggesting a beloved and treasured person.
Hila
“Halo, aura”
Hila is a Hebrew feminine name meaning halo or aura, evoking the luminous ring of light that surrounds the sun or moon, or the radiant glow associated with a spiritual presence. It is a short, elegant name with an ethereal, luminous quality that feels both ancient and modern. The name suggests someone whose presence is warm, bright, and quietly extraordinary. It is used primarily in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide.
Hillel
“Praise, greatly praised”
Hillel comes from the Hebrew root halal, meaning to praise, to shine brightly, or to boast in the best sense of the word. It is the same root that gives the world hallelujah, literally praise God. The name thus carries connotations of brightness, celebration, and spiritual acclaim. It is made immortal by Hillel the Elder, the Babylonian-born sage who became one of the most revered figures in Jewish religious history.
Hodaviah
“Praise God”
Hodaviah is a Hebrew name meaning praise God or give thanks to God. It is composed of the elements hod meaning praise, splendour, or majesty, and Yah, a shortened form of the divine name YHWH (Yahweh). The name carries a strong sense of worship, gratitude, and devotion. It appears in the Hebrew Bible in the Books of Chronicles and Ezra, where it is borne by several figures in the genealogies of Israel. The name belongs to the tradition of Hebrew theophoric names, those that incorporate the divine name to express a relationship with or dedication to God.
Hodaya
“Thanks to God”
Hodaya comes from the Hebrew root hod, meaning splendour, gratitude, or praise, combined with Yah, a shortened form of the divine name. The name therefore means thanks to God or praise of God. Hodayah, the concept of thanksgiving, is woven throughout Jewish prayer and scripture. The name embodies a spirit of gratitude and devotion central to Jewish life.
Hodya
“Praise of God, glory of God”
Hodya is a Hebrew name meaning 'praise of God' or 'majesty of God,' combining 'hod,' meaning splendor, glory, or praise, with 'Yah,' a shortened form of the divine name. It expresses gratitude and reverence toward God.
Hosea
“Salvation”
Hosea comes from the Hebrew word meaning 'salvation' or 'he saves.' In the Old Testament, Hosea was a prophet whose personal story of faithfulness became a powerful metaphor for enduring, unconditional love. The name carries a deep sense of devotion and redemptive hope.
Hoshea
“Salvation, he saves”
Hoshea derives from the Hebrew root 'yasha,' meaning 'to save' or 'salvation,' and is one of the earliest forms of names in this family, which also includes Joshua and Jesus. The name means 'salvation' or 'he has saved.'
Hoshen
“Breastplate of the High Priest”
Hoshen is the Hebrew word for the 'breastplate' or 'breastpiece' worn by the High Priest in the Jerusalem Temple, set with twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. As a name, it evokes brilliance, sacred adornment, and divine connection.
Ido
“Praised one, mist or vapour”
Ido is a Hebrew name derived from the root meaning 'to evaporate' or 'to be praised,' and is also associated with the word for 'mist' or 'vapor.' In the Bible, Ido (also spelled Iddo) was a prophet and a grandfather of the prophet Zechariah.
Ilana
“Oak tree”
Ilana is a graceful Hebrew name meaning oak tree, drawing on the deep symbolism of trees in Jewish tradition. Oaks represent strength, endurance, and deep rootedness, qualities that parents hope to bestow upon their daughters. It is a name that feels both grounded and elegant, connecting the bearer to the natural world.
Ilanit
“Little tree, young sapling”
Ilanit is a Hebrew feminine name derived from 'ilan,' meaning 'tree.' The '-it' suffix is a common Hebrew feminine diminutive, making Ilanit mean 'little tree' or 'sapling.'
Immanuel
“God is with us”
From Hebrew meaning God is with us. The prophet Isaiah used this name as a sign of divine presence and protection during a time of national crisis. A powerful declaration of faith that God accompanies and upholds His people, the name has resonated across millennia and across faith traditions.
Ira
“Watchful, alert and devoted”
Ira carries the dual meaning of earth and the goddess Saraswati, the divine embodiment of knowledge, learning, and the arts. As a name rooted in the earth element, it evokes groundedness, fertility, and nurturing strength. The connection to Saraswati adds an intellectual and creative dimension that makes this short name feel quietly profound.
Irad
“Fleet, swift or city of witness”
Irad is an ancient Hebrew name of uncertain but likely Semitic origin, possibly meaning 'fleet' or 'swift' or related to a root meaning 'city of witness.' In Genesis, Irad was the son of Enoch and grandson of Cain.
Irit
“Asphodel flower, wild bloom”
Irit is a Hebrew feminine name referring to the asphodel or daffodil flower, a plant that grows wild in Israel. The name evokes natural beauty and the blossoming landscape of the Land of Israel.
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